How to Use Aloe Vera for Skin Care Treatment

Aloe vera leaves contain a thick liquid.

Aloe vera is best known for its lubricating and anti-inflammatory properties. It's used to heal burns and skin conditions, such as eczema, acne, sores and insect bites. Whether you use the juice from aloe vera leaves or a commercial aloe vera gel, the skin-benefiting properties are plenty. Instead of purchasing aloe-containing skin care products, you can make your own aloe vera skin care treatments right at home at minimal cost.

Things You'll Need

• Aloe vera leaves or aloe vera gel
• Bowl
• 1/2 tsp. lemon
• 3 drops lavender essential oil
• Spoon
• Washcloth
• Water
• 1/4 cup oats
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1 tbsp. honey

Instructions

Aloe Vera Revitalizing Face Mask

1. Make a horizontal cut in two aloe vera leaves. Squeeze the leaves so the thick juice comes out of them. Catch the juice in a small mixing bowl. Use 1 tbsp. aloe vera gel as an alternative.

2. Cut a lemon in half and juice it. Scoop up 1/2 tsp. lemon juice and place it in your mixing bowl.

3. Add 3 drops lavender essential oil to the bowl. Mix all ingredients with a spoon.

4. Wet a washcloth with warm water and place it over your clean face. The warmth opens your pores and allows your skin to better absorb the mask. Take a shower before applying the mask, as an alternative.

5. Apply the aloe vera mask to your face and neck with your fingers. Avoid your eyes and mouth area. Relax for 15 minutes while the mask works on your face.

6. Rinse the mask off with lukewarm water.

Aloe Vera Exfoliating Face Scrub

1. Grind a quarter cup of oats and almonds in a food processor so you end up with 1 tbsp. ground oats and 1 tbsp. ground almonds. Place the oat and almond mixture in a small bowl.

2. Add 1 tbsp. honey and 1 tbsp. aloe vera gel to the bowl. Mix the ingredients with a spoon.

3. Apply the mixture to your face after taking a warm shower or after applying a warm washcloth to your face.

4. Massage the scrub on your face with the tips of your fingers. Use circular motions and avoid your eyes and mouth area. Scrub your skin for 3 to 5 minutes.

5. Rinse the scrub off your face with lukewarm water. Make your final rinse a cold one to close your facial pores. Perform this scrub once a week, by itself or after your aloe vera revitalizing mask.

Tips & Warnings

• To use the plant, it would be advisable to break off a fresh aloe vera leaf, usually just near the base. Since the plant is easy to grow, cultivating it for skin care use can be a good idea. This ensures you a fresh supply of the aloe vera gel, which can do wonders for your skin.

• Any knife might be used to slice off the leaf, which must then be sliced such that scooping the gel becomes simpler. As a potted plant, this versatile aloe plant would require some portion of your house which has warmth.

• However, one must be very careful while handling the aloe vera gel and applying it, since it would be best not to apply it directly when there is an open wound. There are chances of dirt traces from the aloe leaf or plant getting into the wound.

References

• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Aloe Vera; Dec. 2006
• Skin Care 09: Skin Care Treatments With Aloe Vera
• Bitterroot Restoration: Aloe Vera to Skin Care